WORKFORCE SOLUTIONS

The hospitality industry offers great diversity in its career opportunities and growth potential.

The CT Hospitality Educational Foundation is focused on providing information and access to training for the industry's workforce so our workers can gain the skills they need to advance their careers.

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Starting Justice-Involved Individuals on a Path to Employment and Independence

The National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation’s (NRAEF) Hospitality Opportunity for People (Re)Entering Society (HOPES) project is funded by three grants from the U.S. Department of Labor, Reentry Project, Pathway Home, and Growth Opportunities, to support justice-involved adults through training, employment and apprenticeships in the restaurant and foodservice industry.

HOPES uses a “community collaborative model” in which key stakeholder groups— Justice Agencies, Community-Based Organizations, State Restaurant Associations and employers—work together to successfully provide justice-involved individuals with the skills, competencies, and industry credentials needed to secure gainful employment in the restaurant and foodservice industry and, ultimately, advance using registered apprenticeships.

HOPES partners utilize the NRAEF’s Restaurant Ready training framework to equip individuals, 18 years of age and older, who are currently in correctional facilities, on parole/probation, or with former justice-involvement. Once a participant completes work-readiness and industry-specific training, HOPES helps them gain employment in a local restaurant and/or foodservice establishment. NRAEF works with employers and partnering organizations to help further the professional training and education of HOPES participants through connections to credentials and apprenticeship programs.

Learn More About HOPES in Connecticut     

* HOPES Growth Opportunities 5 is 100% funded through a $5.1 million grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration. This webpage was created by CRA/CHEF and does not necessarily reflect the official position of the U.S. Department of Labor. The Department of Labor makes no guarantees, warranties, or assurances of any kind, express or implied, with respect to such information, including any information on linked sites and including, but not limited to, accuracy of the information or its completeness, timeliness, usefulness, adequacy, continued availability, or ownership. This webpage content is copyrighted by CRA/CHEF. 

Second Chance Hiring: Employer Toolkit

The link below provides access to Connecticut’s Second Chance Hiring Employer Toolkit. This resource is designed to help businesses in the state understand the benefits and best practices of hiring individuals with criminal records. It offers guidance on fair chance employment, legal considerations, and tools to create inclusive hiring policies that support workforce development and reduce recidivism.

Employer Toolkit

Become An Employer Partner

As the CT Hospitality Educational Foundation expands its programming, we will be seeking Employer Partners in Bridgeport and southern Connecticut. Email foundation@ctrestaurant.org to learn more about how your business can become a HOPES Employer Partner.